Gardena, Calif. – December 1, 2021,– The Carroll Shelby Foundation™ (CSF) is donating $15,000 in scholarship funding to the winning high school team at the North Texas Automobile Dealers (NTXAD) Auto Tech Competition. Senior Auto Tech students representing North Texas high schools will compete for scholarships and prizes on Dec. 4, 2021, at the Indy Garage inside the legendary Texas Motor Speedway.
CSF was created in 1992 while retired racing driver and automaker Carroll Shelby was waiting for a heart transplant. The charity provides medical assistance for those in need, including children, as well as educational opportunities for young people through automotive and other training programs.
“My grandfather, Carroll Shelby, was a strong supporter of programs that teach young people the skills they need to succeed in the auto industry,” said Aaron Shelby, co-President of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. “He helped create the Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology Program at the Northeast Texas Community College, which combines classroom instruction and hands-on experience. Our donation to the Auto Tech Competition expands on that mission as we help students realize their dream in the car industry.”
CSF is supporting the) North Texas Automobile Dealers (NTXAD), which is comprised of approximately 200 franchised new car dealerships in 23 North Texas counties. The NTXAD serves both dealers and consumers through education, training, and community relations, with an emphasis on building a strong future for the 30,000 Texans employed at its franchised dealerships and a rewarding shopping experience for their customers. The North Texas Auto Show at the Dallas Convention Center and the North Texas Auto Tech Competition in Fort Worth are two of the nation’s premier events that are produced by NTXAD.
“Dealerships nationwide need approximately 76,000 trained automotive technicians, with many of these job openings in North Texas,” said C. Brent Franks, President of the North Texas Automobile Dealers. “Experienced, well-trained technicians will always be in demand and able to earn top dollar. However, achieving the highest level of expertise is a process. That is why the North Texas Automobile Dealers joined forces with educators, state and local government and local dealerships. Like the Carroll Shelby Foundation, we want to train, certify and employ students to work in the auto industry.”
The Auto Tech Competition gives high school seniors a high-profile stage to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in a race against the clock. It features North Texas’ best high school automotive education students from across the country competing for top honors, scholarships, and other prizes.
Each team includes two students and an alternate; they were selected based on preliminary Automotive Service Excellence certification tests in Maintenance & Light Repair, Steering & Suspension, Brakes and Electrical. The final teams are matched with local new car franchised dealerships who become mentors and prepare them for the competition.
The day begins with the Workstation Challenge where contestants are tested on their knowledge of tools, measuring instruments, specific vehicle service information and job interview skills at eight Workstations. Then they proceed to an On-Vehicle Challenge, which gives each team an allotted amount of time to interpret, diagnose and repair pre-assigned problems on a vehicle, based on a repair order.
Each member of the winning team will receive tool sets valued at $3,000 from Snap-on and financial support to post-secondary Automotive Technology education at either Dallas College, Collin College, Hill College or Tarrant College funded by The Carroll Shelby Foundation. Additional prizes are provided by leading manufacturers for all contestants.
“A racing champion as both a driver and an automaker, Carroll loved competition,” said Shelby. “He was also deeply committed to giving young people an opportunity to reach their potential. Providing funds to this high school auto tech scholarship program combines both of those passions. We look forward to crowning a champion on December 4, so they can take the next step in winning the race for life.”
Those interested in learning more about the Carroll Shelby Foundation can go to https://www.shelby.com/ShelbyFoundation.
About Shelby American, Inc.
Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products. The company builds authentic continuation Cobras, including the 427 S/C, 289 FIA, 289 street car, Daytona Coupe and Shelby Series 2 component vehicles; it offers the Shelby GT, 1000, Super Snake, SE and GT post-title packages for the 2005-2021 Ford Mustang. Shelby American also offers the Shelby Raptor, Shelby F-150 Super Snake and Shelby F-150 trucks, as well as the Shelby F-250 Super Baja. Heritage cars include the continuation 1965 Shelby GT350 competition model, 1967 Ford Shelby Super Snake and 1968 Ford Shelby GT500KR. For more information, visit www.Shelby.com.
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